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Injured hamstring puts Saturday return vs. Roughriders in doubt

VANCOUVER — It has taken Shawn Gore two games to date in the 2012 calendar to double his touchdown production from all of last season.

The 25-year-old non-import receiver out of Bishop’s University caught two touchdown passes in the first half to help the B.C. Lions squeak past the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 39-36, in what turned out to be a frantic finale for the Canadian Football League’s Friday night double-header showcase.

However, Gore, who called his performance just “okay,” adding there was room for both individual and team improvement, left the game and did not return for the second half due to a strained hamstring.

“Any time you get injured it’s extremely frustrating,” Gore said following Friday’s game.

“We like to compete. I’m here to compete. I don’t like sitting on the sidelines watching other people play. I want to be in there, so it’s frustrating.”

He also told reporters in his post-game scrum that he expects to be ready to play Saturday on the road against the Saskatchewan Roughriders (Noon, TSN, Team 1410).

Lions general manager Wally Buono didn’t rule that out during a phone interview Monday, but Gore’s status is still questionable.

“I’m a big believer in making sure they can practise first, before they can play,” said Buono.

A year ago, the Lions feasted on the Roughriders’ pass defence, passing for 899 yards in three regular season meetings. Gore was no slouch, catching nine passes for 115 yards, as B.C. swept Saskatchewan in the season series.

But it may come as a surprise that Gore’s total offensive output a year ago amounted to only a single touchdown. That milestone finally came in the last regular season game on Nov. 5 against the Montreal Alouettes.

In his first season as a starter, Gore emerged as a dependable target in a talented Lions receiving corps that included — and still does — Geroy Simon, Arland Bruce and Akeem Foster, to name a few.

Gore finished second on the Lions with 60 catches and 836 yards, behind only Simon in each of those categories.

Yet, he managed only one major score.

Now, it appears possible injury may be the only threat holding him back from having a breakout sophomore year.

“I think it’s the fact he played 18 games last year,” said Buono of Gore, who could potentially become one of the premiere receivers not only within the Lions, but the CFL.

“He was able to get all those reps and … that’s part of the growth between a first-year guy and a third-year guy.”

Helping his cause is the fact Gore spent a portion of the off-season working with quarterback Travis Lulay, continuing to build on the rapport the duo began to develop.

“I see it every day in practice … just the understanding of the offence,” said Gore. “Us, as players, getting to know each other over the off-season really helped us on the field.”

Individually, Gore isn’t necessarily blessed with optimal size, but there also isn’t much to complain about the 6-foot, 198-pound receiver that possesses numerous intangible qualities — explosive speed being the most prevalent.

He ran the 40-yard time of 4.5 seconds at the 2010 CFL Evaluation Camp, but his 10-yard time of 1.44 seconds was second among all players who took part in that drill.

“Shawn Gore has both strength and speed,” said Buono. “Not everybody has to be [the fastest], but that’s a dimension that you have to have on your team.”

Injuries piling up: The B.C. Lions on Monday confirmed that offensive lineman Jesse Newman, who has been out since training camp with a knee injury, has been put on the nine-game injured list after suffering what Buono called a “setback” last week.

According to Buono, left guard Jon Hameister-Ries is progressing from a knee injury that occurred during training camp and required arthroscopic surgery about four weeks ago. Hameister-Ries dressed for Friday’s game, but didn’t start. Buono did not say if Hameister-Ries would be out at practice this week.

Dean Valli, another offensive lineman who has been kept off the Lions’ active roster, is also receiving treatment for a knee injury.

Defensive back Ryan Phillips is questionable for Saturday’s game against Saskatchewan.

Phillips left Friday’s game against Hamilton with what the team said was a sprained right ankle, which occurred in the fourth quarter.

Lions special teams captain Jason Arakgi, who sat out Friday’s game after injuring his wrist in Week 1 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, told Buono Monday morning that he thinks he can play this weekend, but his status is still up in the air pending practice this week, the GM said.

Despite the rash of injuries, Buono said he was not in the market to make a trade or sign a free agent.

Week 3 showdown: Last year, it took the B.C. Lions and Saskatchewan Roughriders a combined 12 games just to reach a combined two wins.

By stark contrast, both teams are 2-0 to begin the 2012 season, but that will change Saturday when the two meet in Regina.

“For this early in the season, it’s going to be fun,” said Buono, who expects a “hostile” crowd at Mosaic Stadium.

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